HELP FAMILY OF 9-YEAR-OLD HIT BY A STRAY BULLET

On March 22nd, 2022, at Robles Park in Tampa, FL, Ms. Artese's 9-year-old daughter RayRay was shot in the back by a stray bullet after a boy brought a gun to an argument at the basketball court. The moment the bullet hit RayRay, her entire family felt it. Between her community, her mother, and her 12 siblings, RayRay received an unimaginable amount of love and hugs. However, as we know, thoughts and prayers don't pay medical bills, erase the tragedy, or give Ms. Artese's family enough support to financially and mentally (and physically) recover. Now, she's spending her days unable to work properly, since she is caring for her daughter while her other children attend school; her plans to start a business she had been working on for months have been delayed, bills are piling up, and RayRay cannot go back to school for a few more weeks.

My name is Susana, and I have known Ms. Artese's family for years; I met them when her son became one of my best friends. Since then, I have watched Ms. Artese overcome every obstacle in her way. I've learned from her resilience and the way she loves and cares for her 13 children, 14 if I count myself (after all the ways she has proved to be a mother figure to me). She has pulled herself out of every unfortunate situation, but this is too much for me to just sit by and watch.

I want to be able to prove to her that she has a community behind her that can show up for her the way she has shown up for everyone in her life in need. I want to show her that there are other people in this world who love her back.

The funds will be used to pay medical bills, household bills, and other necessities while Ms. Artese cannot work, and buy a gift basket for RayRay on behalf of everyone who loves her.